390 Duma members co-author anti-LGBT
HRWF with Interfax (24.10.2022) – A bill banning the propaganda of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) and pedophilia, the demonstration of LGBT-related information, and information inciting sex change among adolescents was submitted to the State Duma on 20 0ctober.
The initiative was co-authored by 390 Duma members, including all faction leaders and deputy speakers.
According to the draft law, the changes to the 2013 law banning the exposition of minors to what authorities deem “gay propaganda will affect the Internet, mass media, books, audiovisual services, cinematography, and advertising.
The bill extends the list of information prohibited from dissemination among children: the propaganda and demonstration of non-traditional sexual relations and (or) preferences, as well as information which can make children to want to change their sex. The new changes also formally draw a distinction between the notions of “demonstration” and “propaganda.”
The bill mandates a paid subscription and additional security features for access to television and radio content which is banned for children, and labelling of promo material for such content.
In addition, the bill prohibits advertising content containing information that demonstrates non-traditional sexual relations or preferences.
Propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations or preferences, including the propaganda of pedophilia, would be banned among Russian citizens, both adults and minors.
In all, five laws would be affected: “On information, information technologies, and information protection,” “On mass media,” “On protecting children from information which harms their health and development,” “On advertising,” and “On state support for Russian cinematography.”
Another bill submitted on Thursday contains amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses.
LGBT propaganda would entail fines of between 50,000 – 400,000 rubles for individuals, 100,000 – 800,000 rubles for officials and 800,000 – 5,000,000 rubles or up to 90 days of suspended operation for legal entities.
The propaganda of pedophilia would entail fines of 200,000 – 800,000 rubles for individuals, 400,000 – 2,000,000 rubles for officials, and 1,000,000 – 10,000,000 rubles or up to 90 days’ suspended operation for legal entities.
Fines for violating the ban on LGBT demonstration and information inciting sex change among adolescents: 50,000 – 200,000 rubles for individuals, 100,000 – 400,000 rubles for officials, and 800,000 – 4,000,000 rubles or up to 90 days of suspended operation for legal entities.
For foreign nationals and stateless persons, the penalty would be an administrative expulsion from the Russian Federation.
Lawmakers argued the law needs to be toughened amid Russia’s intensified confrontation with the West and as its armed forces battle next-door.
Alexander Khinstein, a senior lawmaker and the head of the Duma’s information committee, said the Ukraine offensive had given the proposed law “new relevance.”
“The special operation takes place not only on the battlefield, but also in the minds and souls of people,” Khinstein said.
Konstantin Malofeyev, a banker and conservative media baron, told the Duma hearing that passing the law is part of Russia’s war effort.
“The war is not only on the battlefield. It is also in the smart-phones of our children, in cartoons and films,” Malofeyev said.
“Our enemy really holds the propaganda of sodomy as the core of its influence,” he said.